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In 2025 it is more important than ever to be aware of your civil rights, and Roc Nation is doing its part to reach the masses. Roc Nation and the United Justice Coalition hosted their third UJC Summit at The Shed in New York City, and it was nothing short of impactful. This wasn’t just another gathering—it was a platform for those whose voices are often overlooked. With over 1,300 attendees, the summit brought together some of the most influential figures in the movement for change, including Angela Rye, Charlamagne Tha God, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Tamika Mallory, and many others.
The summit covered a wide range of crucial topics affecting our communities, from probation and parole reform to police accountability, mental health, and the unique challenges women face within the justice system. Each conversation highlighted the urgent need for change, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

One of the most powerful moments came when Angela Rye moderated a panel with the families of Botham Jean, Atatiana Jefferson, John Albers, and Ahmaud Arbery. Listening to their personal stories of grief and resilience was both heartbreaking and inspiring. Despite facing public scrutiny and false narratives, these families have fought to keep the memory of their loved ones alive while advocating for justice on a national stage.

 

Charlamagne Tha God, of The Breakfast Club, led a thought-provoking discussion on mental health, joined by Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and other experts. The panel explored innovative ways to reduce police escalation, minimize unnecessary arrests, and address the growing mental health crisis in our communities.

A standout moment was the conversation around the Megan Thee Stallion case, which served as a reminder of how Black women are often treated within the criminal justice system. Even after Tory Lanez’s conviction, Megan faced relentless public backlash. Her story is a powerful representation of how many Black women face injustice, not just within the courts, but in the court of public opinion as well.
Podcast host Josie Duffy-Rice led a moving conversation with survivors of abuse by former Kansas City police detective Roger Golubski, whose actions left a lasting scar on his community. The discussion was emotional, and the room gave a standing ovation in honor of the survivors’ strength and courage. Golubski was accused of numerous heinous crimes, including violating the civil rights of two women by rape and kidnapping. Sadly, these women never got to face the accused as he died by suicide before facing justice.

The UJC Summit is more than just an event…it’s a call to action. It’s an opportunity to learn, reflect, and engage with the vital social issues plaguing disenfranchised communities. Each panel and discussion provided invaluable information and left attendees with a renewed sense of purpose. I had the privilege of speaking with two of my favorite changemakers, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson and Charlamagne Tha God. I walked away inspired by their optimism and perspectives on the necessary work ahead.

Sheen: What words of encouragement or wisdom would you give to future leaders of the Black community and corporations as they adapt to changes under the current administration?

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson: Right, so here’s the thing…Howard Thurman, the great mystic, said, never reduce your dreams to the level of the event, which is your immediate experience. This thing that you confront right now ain’t gonna last always. And so he said, You got a choice. You can be a prisoner of the event, you can be a prisoner of hope. I choose to be a prisoner of hope. And we got to choose to be prisoners of hope, and we’ve done that.
My pastor used to say, I’ve already come through what I’ve come through too. So this, this, this ain’t nothing new. We’ve been here before. They’re newfangled representations, the autocracy we confront, the foolish fascism that we are in the presence of certainly is breathtaking in its ambition, but it’s not new in its origin, and so we’ve got to continue to remember that history. This ain’t gonna last always. He ain’t God, there is another election. We have to be about our business in the meantime, holding the fort against the vicious forces that would attempt to assault us.

Krystal: So my last question is, what are your thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement? Do you see it as a movement or a moment considering all of the DEI rollbacks?

@cthagod : That’s a great question. I think it depends on how you look at it. If you look at it as an organization, it probably was a moment. Um, If you look at it as a way of life and how people should feel, then it’s gon’ always be a movement…because Black lives do matter. Black lives will always matter. And I am a Black person, I hope my life matters! ya know? like, ya know?! The people I love are Black people, I hope their black lives matter. My kids are black, I hope their black lives matter.


Photo credit: United Justice Coalition